Emergence of Polycystic Neotropical Echinococcosis
2008

Emergence of Polycystic Neotropical Echinococcosis

Sample size: 106 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tappe Dennis, Stich August, Frosch Matthias

Primary Institution: University of Würzburg

Conclusion

Polycystic neotropical echinococcosis is an emerging disease with increasing cases reported in South America.

Supporting Evidence

  • At least 106 human cases of polycystic neotropical echinococcosis have been reported from 12 South and Central American countries.
  • The disease is caused by two species of parasites, Echinococcus oligarthrus and Echinococcus vogeli.
  • Most cases are reported from Brazil and Colombia, indicating a geographic concentration of the disease.

Takeaway

There is a new disease caused by parasites in South America that can make people sick, and more and more cases are being found.

Limitations

The true prevalence of human polycystic echinococcosis is not well known, and many cases could not be definitively assigned to either of the two species involved.

Participant Demographics

The disease occurs exclusively in rural areas of the American tropics.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3201/eid1402.070742

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